Buying my first skis =)

G

guygabay

Member
Hey all, I'm new here... and am pretty happy to have found this site!

I'm looking to buy my first pair of skis... and after doing some research (even reading lots of the threads on here), I've demoed and would like to buy the Public Enemys by K2. What I came here for is reassurance and to make sure I do the right thing. =)

I'm currently 17 and have been skiing since I was about 5-6 years old. I am able to go basically anywhere I want.. and just recently got into doing park (mostly jumps... haven't tried any rails yet)and I am really looking to get better. I ski a few times a year and would like my first pair to last for at least a few years.

This past weekend I was at Mammoth Mountain and demoed last years model of the Public Enemys and I really liked them. I am now interested in buying my first pair of skis and would like these... and am not sure about a few things.

1. Is this years model better than last years? I heard from people and by reading that this years get chipped and scratched due to the new PTEX layer on top of the ski. Other than that I understand that the new ones are a tiny bit wider. Overall, is it worth it to get this years model over last years (because I sort of like last years design more but if this years is definately better, then that's what I'll get)? If yes, why?

2. Now that I've actually found the right skis for me... I'm not really sure which bindings or boots to get along with them.

For bindings, I heard that the Salomon® S810 Ti B85 would go along well with the PEs. Yes/no? Any other suggestions?

As for boots, I know absolutely nothing at all... any suggestions would be great! =)

Thanks a lot for reading my post all the way up to here... any help is greatly appreciated!
 
Ah, one more question I forgot to add in there is about sizing.

Stupidly... I didn't pay attention to what size skis I demoed this past weekend and honestly forgot. I THINK it was the 169's but I'm not sure.

I'm 5'9" and weigh 150 pounds (even though I may still grow 1-2 inches and will definately gain some weight over the next few years as I'm still only 17). Would the 169s be right for me in your opinion? If not which else?

Thanks!
 
Bindings - any look/rossi from before this year. P10/P12/P14

Lower end salomons tend to...well suck.

Boots - what fits. Go to ski shop and having them tell you what brand fits you foot well. Then go from there.

To get them as comfy as possible....get footbeds and have them molded to your feet.
 
get yourself 179s when you get better in the park you will like them a lot better, plus they will be more stable out of the bark. i would remmomned the look p10/p12 or the px10/12s
 
get the 179. Without a doubt.

169 with a twin is a tiny ass ski.

the 179 PE is very easy to ski on.
 
boots, try them on, what fits you and what you like is waht you get. you could have the best skis, but if your boots dont fit youll hate skiing
 
ok sweet

get a 174 but only if you are a goodm skier and fairly aggressive otherwise get a 169 the ski will also feel shorer if you center mount
 
get teh 174's or 179's, either will be good. do not get salomon bindings. they suck. go with a look or rossi bindings. and any boot that fits you good will work fine in the park.
 
go with the 174s and get some new rossignol bindings axial2's (or look p12s) they r very good and for boots you have to try them on to see whats comfortable-try salomon x waves, dalbello kryptons, technica beasts, nordica speedmachines, after u try all of hem ull get a good feel of how different brand boots fit and will be able to decide from there...good luck
 
listen to iggyskier.

179 is the way to go. you can probably find killer deals on last years PE's right now, but if you can find a good deal on this years it may be worth it to you.

as far as bindings, the look/rossignol ones are pretty reliable. i've been on salomon 912ti's for three seasons and i've had to warranty them twice (and i don't really even ski that hard), and warrantying a binding on your only pair of skis sucks because you have to either a) rent skis or b) not ski.

and try on as many boots as you can. the person at the shop telling you what boot to buy should actually know what he's talking about, so it's better to avoid big chain stores and try to find a place that specializes in ski boots, or at least in snowsports.

my method of buying boots is to find the one that fits the best and then buy it online because you can always find better deals, and you don't need to warranty boots near as often as you need to warranty skis or bindings (good online deals typically = bye-bye warranty).
 
1080 boots

look p12s/p10s

this years wont chip on you because youll probably not be doing too many crosses or stuff to maeit chip
 
you're practically the same size as me, i'm 1 inch taller and only 16. i rock the 04/05's in 179, and they're awesome. very stable at speed, and enough stiffness in the tail to pick me up when i land backseat. i've got mine mounted at +3.5, and if you want then to hold their own outside the park i wouldn't suggest anything further than +4ish. when you mount them further forward they ski like a shorter ski, so don't let the length scare you. i went from a 158 shit ski last year to 179 PE's this year and i love them. deffinately pick up the longer ski, you're only going to grow. as to what year, this year's are 5mm wider in the tip, waist, and tail. i have absolutely no idea how this affects the way they ride, but it can't be too much of a difference. i personally prefer the 04/05 graphic, i don't like the new one. hope this helps.
 
Thanks to all of you who replied!

As for size... I guess now I'm debating whether to get 174 or 179. About getting this years or last years... I'm not 100 percent sure but I think I'm gonna get this years. I can get them at Sport Chalet for 280... and honestly haven't seen the old ones for that price even.

As for bindings... how about these

http://www.sportchalet.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2109606&cp=702243.710071&parentPage=family

Would those specific ones go well with the PEs? If not, what would?

Finally... say I get the 174 or 179, where should I get the bindings mounted? Consider I'm in no way new to skiing, been doing it for like 11 years... new to park, but will be using these skis for everything.

Thanks!
 
buy my skis. good deal, great condition. would suit you well. don't limit yourself with a narrow ski. foil is 87 at the waist, so it'll rip up pow, groomers, solid in pipe, extremely nice on booters, and smooth on rails. the perfect 'can do it all' ski
 
In my experience, you will never regret going bigger. Get the 179 without a doubt. Listen to people who know their shit- Iggy, strode, myself. PE's are a good all around ski, so yeah go ahead and get them. This years is also better all mountain performance. Yeah so this years 179's with P10 or P12 jibs should be perfect.
 
when you get the skis, on the side you'll see the mounting chart (printed on the sidewall). i'd say for what you're looking for mount them +3cm from the midsole mark (you'll see what i'm talking about when you look at the skis). if you're taking them to a shop to have them mounted, make sure you tell them 100 times to mount it there, and check to be sure they wrote it on your receipt. as for bindings those bindings work but you don't need a wide brake. i have the regular brakes on mine and they fit, and i'm guessing that the 5mm that were added to the waist shouldn't affect this too much. other than that, good choice, best ski i've ever bought.
 
can you please show me what the p10s and p12s are? are those lines or rossis? can you please send me a link?

cambell, when you say to mount them at 3+... does that mean it's 3 cm closer to the tip (what I would think)... or the tail?

thanks!
 
dude pubkic enemiys are SICK, i love mine you wont be disappointed. id get the 169 or 174 is i were you, i have the 179 fujative and i find the 169 pe to be more fun
 
Ah... so after all... which binding do you guys suggest I get?

Rossi or Look? Which one specifically best fits in YOUR opinion (considering you've ridden it)?

Thanks! =)
 
ok i definitely suggest the Look p10's ive had mine for two seasons and theyre amazing, however your a little heavier then me (im about 135lbs) so perhaps you should look into p12's, either binding is great, and salomon bindings in general are a lil sketch...

in terms of size i would definitely get the 179's, (i'm 5'7" and just recently went from 165cm to 175cm) the difference with the 179's compared to the 169's and even the 174's is stability, theyre just as easy to control as the shorter skis, but you will feel noticably more stability on jumps and in the pipe. the longer turn radius and ski resistance will hardly be noticable at all. And if your already 5'9" and still growing you wont want the smaller skis.
 
hahahahahahaha. seth uses 916s. there is a BIG difference.

buy rossis or looks, 120s or p12s. and get the 179. if you feel it might be a little big, just mount them a little forward. (I'd recommend mounting them at least +3 anyways).
 
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